Ms. Jackie & the STEM girls

Conversations with STEM Club Girls

Whether it’s scratch coding, hands-on lab activities, DIY engineering, or Recycling and Sustainability Club, Ms. Jackie tries to find ways to incorporate some fun into STEM programming and make it seem less intimidating. She recognizes the importance of mentorship and the need for all women, especially Black and Latina women, to see themselves represented in STEM professions.

While STEM can be challenging, confusing, and even frustrating at times, those moments where you actually find the solution to a problem you were stuck on or get something to work the way it’s supposed to make it all worthwhile. The most important nugget of wisdom she hopes the girls take away from all of this is that it’s okay to fail sometimes! Failing is an integral part of the scientific process.

Ms. Jackie credits Ms. Bickley, her 6th grade science teacher, for sparking her interest in the sciences and hopes to do the same for the girls (shout out to Ms. Bickley if you’re reading this).

We interviewed two 5th graders from robotics club and here is what they had to say:

Desirae Mitchell:

What do you enjoy the most about working with the mbots robots?

“I enjoy when I learn how to make my mbots do things other people can’t.”

What do you do when you get stuck on a coding problem?

“I try again and if that doesn’t work I ask a friend or

a teacher for help.”

What advice do you have for other girls who want to learn block-based coding?

“If you want to succeed at something always follow your heart and

don’t let others say what you can’t or can do.”

Cherish McGhee:

What do you enjoy the most about working with the mbots?

“I think they are very fun and cool.”

What do you do when you get stuck on a coding problem?

“Ask a friend or reread it again.”

What advice do you have for other girls who want to learn block code?

“To have fun but also pay attention!”

[and thanks to Cox for donating the mbots!]